The company is currently in the process of securing cash for an additional development fund.
Before that, he was an independent producer, working on titles like Paul SchradersFirst Reformed.
Torresblanco was most recently CEO of Braven Films, which she founded in 2010.
Frank Murray And Frida TorresblancoTiffany Walling McGarity.
Her credits at Braven included Sebastian LeliosDisobedience, starring Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, and Alessandro Nivola.
Before Braven, Torresblanco co-founded Esperanto with her producing partner and four-time Oscar-winning filmmaker, Alfonso Cuaron.
DEADLINE: Frida and Frank, how did you first meet?
And how did we end up here with Hangtime?
FRIDA TORRESBLANCO:We met a couple of years ago.
I was listening to Frank talk and I was fascinated by him.
I thought, this guy is incredibly intelligent and has so much experience.
The way he saw the market was engaging and organic.
We then started to look around and think about the industry.
It was then that we identified this huge window of opportunity and decided to partner and create this company.
When Frida and I came together, we looked at our singular international experience.
DEADLINE: So what year did you decide to start the company?
MURRAY:I think we really actively started talking in the late summer of 2022.
DEADLINE: You mentioned noticing trends that signal an increase in non-U.S. English language and Spanish language content.
Can you speak more about the specific trends youve noticed?
So we dont have to worry too much about the subtitle or dub component.
There is a very specific strategic direction that we want to take on a non-U.S. market-to-market basis.
But, you know, ones gut still informs things.
TORRESBLANCO:To go back to your original question, English is our main language.
Just remember that 500 million people speak Spanish in the world and 60 million in America.
So for us, its a very important market to cover.
Frank has a lengthy background in the studio system.
Ive been more involved in the independent world.
We dont want to have boundaries.
They dont care about the subtitles, they care about the stories.
DEADLINE: What is the structure of the company?
And who are your investors?
Theres another investment round in progress with others for a development fund but thats an announcement for later.
DEADLINE: What does your current slate look like?
Who will you be working with?
MURRAY:Were being quite conscious about not mentioning anyone by name.
Our slate is there and its very diversified and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fridas is slightly clearer because I spent so much time working as a physical producer.
TORRESBLANCO:The slate is very robust.
Were gonna do films in English and Spanish.
Were going to do television and docuseries.
The slate is going to be big and we aim to grow.
DEADLINE: Frida, you had been attached to multiple projects before this announcement was made.
Are those projects now under Hangtime?
TORRESBLANCO:Everything that Ive been working on in the past is now part of this company.
Frank also had things he was working on and has brought to the slate, so were very lucky.
A lot of companies start from zero.
This company already has a history with extraordinary talent.
DEADLINE: This may be an odd question to ask when youve just started a company.
But are you two optimistic or pessimistic about the direction the industry is heading in?
TORRESBLANCO:Im very positive and optimistic.
I think the right correction is happening in the market because it extended too far.
And when things happen like that without control you expand in a way that doesnt make much sense.
So I think the correction happening right now will bring a lot of balance to the industry.
I truly believe the market is going to be a much better place.
The future will maybe mean less content but of a higher quality.
MURRAY:Im really optimistic for us.
Im a fundamentals guy.
I came up as a very high bond-rated fixer of problem productions.
I thrive in this environment.
